Platform construction



June 17, 1930.

C. ERWIN PLATFORM CONSTRUCTION Filed March 27. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Julie 17, 1930. c, ERWIN 1,763,766

PLATFORM CONSTRUCTION Filed March 27, 1926 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W fi I we I I 20 I v Inventor (Zv'h' Z'r m Attorney its extended position.

Patented June 17, 1930 'sr rrs onnnrns ERWIN, or nxnoiv, OHIO PLATFORM CONSTRUCTION Application filed. Marchf27, 1928. Serial No. "265369.

The present invention relates to improvements in scaffolds and has'for its principal obgectto provide a platform which is particularly adapted to be used by a paper hangeror interior decorators. One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a platform construction that includes a main section, and slidable en'd sections that are provided for increasing the length of the platform whenever necessary. The end sections are fuitherinore capable of being removed from the central main section for individual use as smaller platforms by attaching additional leg members to the end portion of either of the removable end sec tions that is normally slidable beneath the main section, the end sections being of different length.

A further object is to provide an extensible and separable platform construction that ineludes vertically adjustable leg members for elevating the platform to any particular height desired. 4

Still a further object of the invention vis-t'o provide a platform construction of the above mentioned character which can be readily andeasily adjusted or disassembled, the leg members being capable offolding upwardly so that'the platform can be stored away in a relatively small space when notin use.

A further object is to provide a platform construction of the above mentioned character, which is notonly simple and inexpensive, but strong and durable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the platform embodying my invent-ion showing the same in Figure 2 is an end elevation of themain section of the extensible platform the verti cally movable sections of the leg members'being shown confined within the stationary upper section.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of one of the end sections, the .legs'therefor being shown vin an extended position.

Figure 4 is :a fragmentary side elevation 'of the end section shown in Figure 3.

Figure '5 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 43- 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detail of the spring pressed pin for connecting the upper-ends of the legs of each end section to the top side thereof.

Figure 7 is detail of the spring pressed plunger for connecting the upper ends of the brace members for the end sections to the top of said section, and

Figure 8 is a'bottoni plan view thereof. Figure '9 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective showing the means of securing certain of the vfo'ldable braces in extended po sition. I In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the-preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral desig nates generally my improved platform construetion, the same including a main central section 2 that comprises a pair of elongated parallel spaced side rails 3Jacr'oss the upper edges of which extend the boards 4 that form a top or stand. A relatively narrow strip 5 is secured to the inner face of each side bar 3 at the lower edge portion thereof for the purpose offorming apair of spaced tracks or rails for accommodating the end sections, the construction of which will be hereinafter more fully described. A pair oftelesco-p-ic leg irrembersare arranged at each end of the main section 2 and each of the telescopic leg members comprises an upper channel shaped metallic section 6, the open side of the channel shaped section being disposed inwardly.

The upper end of the channel shaped section 6 is hingedly secured to the lower edge of the respective side bar 3 at each end thereof, and the hinged comiection is shown at 7 whereby the telescopic legs may be folded against the lower edges of the side bars 3 when the platform or table isno't in use. Slidalole through the open lower end of each channel shaped section 6 is the wooden lower section 8 and each of the wooden lower sections is formed with a series of vertically spaced openings adapted for registration with; similar open ings formed in the lower ends of the upper sections and a U-shaped clip 9 that is secured on the lower end portion of each metallic shaped upper section 6 and a bolt 10 extends through the clip and the openings in the lowor end portion of each metallic channel shaped section 6 and through one of the openings in the wooden lower section 8 for adjustably securing the lower wooden sections in the upper metallic channel shaped section. A nut is adapted to be threaded on the threaded end of the bolt 10. Diagonally extending cross braces 12 are provided for the metallic upper sections of each pair of telescopic leg units, the diagonally extending cross braces being secured to the inner sides of the metallic upper sections. Additional diagonally extending cross braces 13 are secured at their outer ends to the inner opposed faces of the slidable lower wooden sections in the manner as clearly shown in Figure 2, and a transverse brace bar 14 extends between the upper ends of the wooden lower sections of each pair of telescopic leg units. For the purpose of holding the adjustable legs in a vertical position for properly supporting the table or .top portion of the platform, there is provided the hingedlyconnected side braces 15. four of such braces being provided. Each side brace includes a pair of hingedly connected sections. The outer ends of the side braces are secured to the lower ends of the upper metallic sections of each adjustable leg unit, and the respective side bars and for the purpose of holding the pivotally connected ends of the sections of the side braces in propor position, I provide a slidable loop 16 that engages over the hingedly connected ends of the sections of each side brace and will prevent the accidental collapsing of the side braces. The construction and operation of the pivotally connected section of the braces 15 and the loops 16 is clearly shown in Figure 9 of the drawings. The loop 16 may be slid to an inoperative position from over the hinged connection of the sections of each side brace onto either one of the sections to permit the inward folding of the sections of the side braces when the leg units are to be swung upwardly and inwardly for disposition beneath the table or top portion of the main section 2. The platform or scaffold further includes a pair of end sections designated generally by the niunerals 17 and 18, respectively, and

as each end section is of the same construction. with the exception that the top thereof is of different length, a description of one of the end sections is thought to sufiice for a description of both. Each end section includes a top 19 that is adapted for slidable movement between the side bars 3 of the main section 1 upon the upper faces of the rails or tracks 5. The top of the section 17 is of a length less than the length of the top of the other end section as clearly shown in Figure 1 so that said end sections may be used as individual scaffolds or platforms of different sizes, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. A cross bar 20 is secured to the bottom face of the top 19 at each end thereof. A pair of vertically adjustable legs 21 and 22 respectively are provided for the outer ends of the slidable end sections when the inner ends of the tops 19 are disposed within the respective ends of the main section 2. Each leg that is associated with the end sections includes ametallic channel shaped end section 23, the open side of which is disposed inwardly. slidable through the lower open end of the channel shaped upper section 23 is the wooden bar or lower section 24, the same being formed with a series of vertically spaced openings 25. A U-shaped clip 26 is secured on the lower end portion of each of the metallic channel shaped upper sections 23 and a bolt 27 is adapted to extend through the sides of the clips and the respective sides of the channel shaped upper section 23 for disposition through one of the openings 25 formed in the respective lower wooden section 24; and a nut 28 is threaded on the end of the bolt as shown in Figures 3 and at whereby the lower wooden section 24 may be vertically adjusted in the stationary upper metallic upper section 23 for the purpose of adjusting the height of the platform. Diagonally eX- tending cross braces 29 are arranged between upper metallic sections of each pair of leg members, the ends of said braces being secured to the inner sides of the channel shaped metallic sections 23. Diagonally extending cross braces 30 are secured at their outer ends to the inner opposed faces of the wooden lower sections 24 and an additional cross brace 31 extends between the upper ends of the cross braces 30 as shown clearly in Figure 3. The interconnected legs are detachably and hingedly secured to the outer end portions of the top 19 of each end section, and to this end, the pair of interfitting knuckles 32 and 33 are secured to the inner side face of the upper portion of each metallic section 23 and to the bottom side of the top 19 and a spring pressed pin 34 which is mounted in a suitable bracket 35 secured to the inner side of the cross bar 20 arranged at the outer end of the top 19 has its free inner end extending through the looped interfitting portion of the knuckle unit as indicated very clearly in Figure 6 of the drawings. The inner end of the pin 34 is formed with a handle 36 whereby the same may be retracted against the tension of the coil spring 37 to disengage the outer end of the pin from the interfitting loops of the complementary members 32 and 33 to facilitate the disengagement of the legs from the top 1.9 of either end section when it is desirous of using one of the end sections as a separate scafiold. In this respect it is to be understood that the inner end portion of the top of each end section is formed with a knuckle carrying unit similar to the ones denoted by the numeral end is entirely removed from the main section 2. In this manner either end section may be employed as a separate scaffold and by having the top of one end section longer than the top of the other end section, there will be provided a means for using three different sized platforms. Side braces are provided for the hinged legs of each end section to maintain said legs in a vertical position, and these side braces 38 include hingedly connected sections, the outer ends of which are pivotally secured to the metallic upper section of each leg member and the adjacent side portion of the top 19 and a bracket 39 is secured to the under side of the top 19 of each end section for each of the upper sections of the side faces, it being understood of course that the upper end of the uppermost section of each side brace is formed with an opening through which extends the outer end of a spring pressed pin 40 mounted in the bracket 39, the inner end of the pin being formed with a head 41 to facilitate the retraction of the pin when the side braces are to be removed. The purpose of providing the second brackets 39 is obvious but for further explanation it may be stated that when either one of the end sections is removed and adapted to be used as a separate scaffold, the supporting side braces of the supporting legs will have their upper ends attached to the second mentioned brackets in a manner similar to which the upper ends of the'sectional braces that are associated with the complementary supporting legs of the end sections. The spring 42 normally urges the pin 40 outwardly for locking engagement with the apertured upper end of each sectional sidebrace. The loop 43 is slidable over the overlapping hinged ends of the sections of each side brace for maintaining the same in assembled relation so that said side braces cannot accidentally collapse when the end sections are in use either as extensions for the main section 2 or as individual scaffolds or platforms. The construction and operation of the braces 38 and the loops 43 is similar to the braces 15 and loops 16 which areshown in detail in Figure 9 of the drawings. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the entire structure is assembled in position for use to provide a relatively elongated scaffold and the adjustable" legs 7 are elevated to support the top portions of the respective sections of the scalfold at the desired height. The scaffold may be used as a table for paper 'hangersnor interior decorators, or may form a stand upon which a workman'may stand. When not in use the end sections 17 and 18 are moved inwardly for disposition adjacent the respective ends of the main se'ctions2 and the various legs maybe swung upwardly and inwardly -so that the folded scaffold will not occupy any considerable amount of space when stored away. If desired, the end sections maybe entirely removed from the main section 2 and as heretofore explained, either'end section may be utilized for the purpose of providing an individual scaffold of a particular size. A scaffold or platform of the above mentionedcharacter can be readily and easily adjusted and assembled or disassembled and due to its simplicity, the same can be constructed at a very low cost, yet be strong and durable. embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. In a scaffold of the class described, a central main section including a top, and legs at the outer ends thereof, a pair of end sections, each including a top and leg members at the outer ends only of the top of each end section, the inner ends of the top of each end section being removably and slidably central main sect-ion, the'leg members for the outer end of the top of each end section being removable for attachment to the inner end of the top of either end section when the latter-is entirely removed from the main section to provide an individual scaffold.

2. In a scaffold of the class described, a central main section including a pair of parallel spaced side bars, a top secured thereacross, strips secured to the inner lower edge portions of the side bars to form rails, supporting links at the outer ends of the side bars, a pair of end sections, each end section including a top, and supporting legs con-v nected to the outer corner portions of the associated with the respective ends of the top, the inner end portions'of the top of portions of the side bars to form rails, supporting links at the outer ends of the side bars, a pair of end sections, each end section including a top, supporting legs connected to the outer corner portions of the top, the

inner end portions of the top of each end sec- 1 tion being slidably and removably associated with the mils, bracing means for the respective supporting legs, the top of one of the end sections being of greater length than the top of the opposite end section as and for the purpose described. 6

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES ERVVIN. 

